The highly anticipated Tehran derby between Zob Ahan and Persepolis ended in a stalemate, with a 0-0 draw at the Foolad Shahr Stadium on February 28, 2026. This result in one of Iranian football's classic rivalries did little to alter the title race, as both teams canceled each other out in a tactical battle. Persepolis, the more fancied side, controlled large spells of possession but found Zob Ahan's defensive block incredibly difficult to penetrate. The home team had the better chances on the counter-attack, with their winger missing a clear opportunity in the first half. The match intensity was high, but the final touch was lacking from both sets of attackers, leading to a share of the points. The Persepolis manager expressed disappointment at not converting dominance into a win, while Zob Ahan's coach was proud of his team's disciplined defensive performance.